Estate Living Digital Publication Issue 6 June 2015 | Page 45

RISKY BUSINESS
Greening your Premium

In

general, South African household
insurers vary in how they cover green
adaptations like for example the
installation of solar panels. Depending
on your policy and the specifications of
your solar installation, a provider could
automatically include, some might place
it under the policy as an additional item,
and could charge an additional monthly
premium towards this.
All installations should be in accordance
with all local authorities’ bi-laws and
National Building Regulations, as well as
relevant organisations accreditations.
Installation of generators for example
must have a Certificate of Compliance
issued and be in accordance with the
noise levels and bi-laws of the local area.
Installers must also be registered with

ECASA (Electrical Contractors Association
-South Africa). There are health and
safety matters, to comply with and if any
installations are not done in accordance
to any ruled guidelines, all losses that are
caused subsequently from this will be the
responsibility of the homeowner. The
insurer could repudiate the claim, and
the entire loss or damage caused to all
material property would fall on the home
owner. After installation the qualified
installer would issue the client or home
owner a copy of the installation which
they can then forward to their insurance
broker or insurer to note on file
SABS products are the only products that
should be used, as the majority of general
insurers within South Africa do not allow
non-standard products to be used.Before
installing a solar panel, ensure that your
insurer provides cover for power surge,
lightning and malicious damage as these
are general causes and possible losses
that occur. Living greener, is expensive,
effective yes, but not automatically
insured. Do your research and ensure that
you know what your insurer is willing to
cover and comply with all their conditions.
Contact

Henrich Von Brandis
086 00 22 1 22
[e-mail]
www.lifestylegroup.co.za

45
RISKY BUSINESS

Eco-friendly home improvement projects
are becoming ever more popular among
homeowners of today. A greater concern
for the wellbeing of our planet and an
eagerness to reduce their home’s carbon
impact as well as South Africa’s worrying
energy crisis has caused an increasing
number of homeowners to look at
alternative and greener ways of obtaining
reliable sources of water and electricity.
While these greener modifications can
substantially reduce a household’s energy
bill, it is imperative to consider other
financial implications including insurance.